History of NCAA Football Uniforms

History of NCAA Football Uniforms

The college football uniform has evolved from the simplistic clothes worn in the first college football game played on Nov. 6, 1869 at New Brunswick, New Jersey to the modern football uniform worn by today's college football players. The evolution and perfection of the college football uniform took many years to develop.

Origin of The Football Uniform

A Princeton football player, L.P. Smock, designed the first football uniform in 1877. The uniform consisted of a tightly laced canvas jacket, with black kneepads, stockings, and jersey trimmed in orange.

The first college football uniform lacked kneepads, shoulder pads, and a helmet. These innovations would be developed at a later date.

Origin of The Football Helmet

George Barclay of Lafayette College is credited with the invention of the first leather football helmet in 1896. Shortly after, the leather football helmets were worn in college football games. The NCAA did not require players to wear a helmet until 1939

Introduction of The Plastic Football Helmet

In 1939, John Riddell and his son John Riddell Jr. designed the first plastic football helmet. John Riddell was the owner of the Riddell Sporting Goods Company out of Chicago, Illinois.

The Origin of The Face Mask and Chin Strap

Vern McMillan developed the first facemask in the mid 1930's. Riddell is also credited with the making of the first chinstrap.


Origin of The Shoulder Pads

The Rawlings Sporting Goods Company introduced the first shoulder pads in 1902. The shoulder pads were called the "Whitley's Armor Clothing."

In 1922, Notre Dame Football coach Knute Rockne was added to the Wilson Sporting Goods advisory board. Wilson Sporting Goods and Knute Rockne designed and developed the first waistline football pants with removable pads.

Origin of Players Numbers

On Feb. 20, 1916, the NCAA required football players to wear a number on the back of their jerseys. In 1937, the NCAA required football players to wear a number on both the front and back of their jersey.


Origin The American Football Shoe

The Converse Company developed and made the first American football sneaker in 1917. Converse put the American Flag on its football sneaker. Before this date soccer shoes were used. Puma Schuhfabrik Rudolf Dassler invented the first modern football shoe, the Puma Atom, in 1948.